Standing awning structure

Abstract

A standing awning structure includes a first top support member, and a second top support member substantially parallel to the first top support member. The structure also includes a first cross member spanning between the first and the second top support members, and a second cross member spanning between the first and the second support members. A sheet of fabric is stretched between the first and the second cross members. In addition, the structure includes a plurality of collars slid over the first and the second top support members, a first brace assembly connected to the first top support member using the plurality of collars, and a second brace assembly connected to the second top support member using the plurality of collars. The structure includes a first vertical post connected to the first brace assembly, and a second vertical post connected to the second brace assembly.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A standing awning structure comprising:
 a first top support member, and a second top support member substantially parallel to the first top support member;   a first cross member spanning between the first and the second top support members, and a second cross member spanning between the first and the second support members, the second support member spaced apart from the first cross member;   a plurality of collars slid over the first and the second top support members;   a first brace assembly connected to the first top support member using the plurality of collars;   a second brace assembly connected to the second top support member using the plurality of collars;   a first vertical post connected to the first brace assembly; and   a second vertical post connected to the second brace assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The standing awning structure of  claim 1 , further comprising a sheet of fabric stretched between the first and the second cross members. 
     
     
         3 . The standing awning structure of  claim 2 , wherein the first top support member comprises two elements joined together using a first inner coupling. 
     
     
         4 . The standing awning structure of  claim 3 , wherein the second top support member comprises two elements joined together using a second inner coupling. 
     
     
         5 . The standing awning structure of  claim 4 , further comprising a first footer pipe connected to the first vertical post, and a second footer pipe connected to the second vertical post. 
     
     
         6 . The standing awning structure of  claim 1 , further comprising a first pair of cross member connectors and a second pair of cross member connectors, wherein the first and second pair of cross member connectors secure ends of the first and second cross members to the first and second top support members, respectively. 
     
     
         7 . The standing awning structure of  claim 6 , wherein each cross member connector comprises a billet and a slide, wherein the slide is secured to a respective top support member and the billet is inserted into a respective cross member. 
     
     
         8 . The standing awning structure of  claim 7 , further comprising a three-way collar connecting the first top support member to the first brace assembly, and a second three-way collar connecting the second top support member to the second brace assembly. 
     
     
         9 . The standing awning structure of  claim 8 , wherein the first brace assembly comprises a first center brace, a first front brace, and a first rear brace, that extend from the first three-way collar to the first top support member. 
     
     
         10 . The standing awning structure of  claim 9 , wherein the second brace assembly comprises a second center brace, a second front brace, and a second rear brace, that extend from the second three-way collar to the second top support member. 
     
     
         11 . The standing awning structure of  claim 10 , wherein the slide of each cross member connector comprises a slot configured to receive a bolt therethrough to adjustably secure the cross member connector to the respective top support member. 
     
     
         12 . The standing awning structure of  claim 11 , wherein the first and the second top support members, the first and the second cross members, and the first and the second brace assemblies are comprised of individual components having linear dimensions no greater than four feet in length when disassembled. 
     
     
         13 . The standing awning structure of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the first and second top support members, the first and the second cross members, and the first and the second brace assemblies are comprised of tubular material. 
     
     
         14 . A standing awning structure comprising:
 an awning frame having a first side and an opposing second side;   a sheet of fabric stretched between the awning frame;   a first plurality of collars slid over the first side of the awning frame, and a second plurality of collars slid over the second side of the awning frame;   a first brace assembly having an upper end connected to the first plurality of collars, and a second brace assembly having an upper end connected to the second plurality of collars; and   a first vertical post connected to a lower end of the first brace assembly, and a second vertical post connected to a lower end of the second brace assembly, wherein the first and second vertical supports provide a foundation to support the awning frame substantially horizontal.   
     
     
         15 . The standing awning structure of  claim 14 , wherein the first side of the awning frame and the second side of the awning frame each comprise at least two elements joined together using an inner coupling. 
     
     
         16 . The standing awning structure of  claim 15 , wherein the awning frame comprises opposing cross members connecting the first and the second sides of the awning frame together, and each comprise at least two elements joined together using an inner coupling. 
     
     
         17 . The standing awning structure of  claim 16 , wherein the awning frame further comprising a plurality of cross member connectors each having a billet and a slide, wherein the slide is secured to a respective side of the awning frame and the billet is inserted into a respective cross member. 
     
     
         18 . The standing awning structure of  claim 17 , wherein the awning frame comprises tubular material and is comprised of individual components having linear dimensions no greater than four feet in length when disassembled. 
     
     
         19 . A method of making a standing awning structure, the method comprising:
 coupling together two structural elements to form a first side of an awning frame;   coupling together two structural elements to for a second side of the awning frame;   coupling together two structural elements to form a first cross member of the awning frame;   coupling together two structural elements to form a second cross member of the awning frame;   sliding a first plurality of collars over the first side of the awning frame, and sliding a second plurality of collars over the second side of the awning frame;   stretching a sheet of fabric between the first and second cross members;   coupling the first and the second cross members between the first and second sides of the awning frame;   coupling a first brace assembly having an upper end to the first plurality of collars, and connecting a second brace assembly having an upper end to the second plurality of collars; and   coupling a first vertical post to a lower end of the first brace assembly, and coupling a second vertical post connected to a lower end of the second brace assembly, wherein the first and second vertical supports provide a foundation to support the awning frame substantially horizontal.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the awning frame comprises tubular material and is comprised of individual components having linear dimensions no greater than four feet in length when disassembled.